Approver Identification Using Multiple Hierarchical Role Structures
OwnerPaul V. Morinvilleinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods for automating and increasing the efficiency of business processes using multiple hierarchical role structures. In one embodiment, a method comprises defining two or more hierarchies, defining an approver for a business process where the approver is associated with at least a first role in a first one of the hierarchies and a second role in a second one of the hierarchies, and identifying an approver position within an organization where the approver position is associated with the first and second roles. The hierarchies may, for example, be selected from a hierarchy of functional roles, a hierarchy of legal roles and a hierarchy of level roles.
Claims20
A computer-implemented method for identifying an approver within an organization to approve a business process, the method comprising:
- defining two or more hierarchies selected from the group consisting of a hierarchy of functional roles, a hierarchy of legal roles and a hierarchy of level roles;
- defining an approver for a business process, wherein the approver is associated with at least a first role in a first one of the hierarchies and a second role in a second one of the hierarchies;
- and
- identifying an approver position within an organization, wherein the approver position is associated with the first and second roles.
A software program product comprising one or more program instructions contained in a computer-readable medium and executable by a computer system to perform the method including:
- defining two or more hierarchies selected from the group consisting of a hierarchy of functional roles, a hierarchy of legal roles and a hierarchy of level roles;
- defining an approver for a business process, wherein the approver is associated with at least a first role in a first one of the hierarchies and a second role in a second one of the hierarchies;
- and
- identifying an approver position within an organization, wherein the approver position is associated with the first and second roles.
A system comprising:
- a business processor engine;
- one or more data sources configured to store
- data defining two or more hierarchies selected from the group consisting of a hierarchy of functional roles, a hierarchy of legal roles and a hierarchy of level roles, and
- data defining at least a first role in a first one of the hierarchies and a second role in a second one of the hierarchies, wherein the first and second roles are associated with an approver for a business process
- wherein the business processor engine is configured to identify an approver position within an organization, wherein the approver position is associated with the first and second roles.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.